For streamlining the procedure for grant of various National Sports Awards viz. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Awards, Dronacharya Awards and Dhyan Chand Awards to be followed by various agencies viz. the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sports Authority of India (SAI), National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), State Governments, National Sports Federations (NSFs), and Sports Promotion and Control Boards.
It has been decided with the approval of competent authority to prescribe the following Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to be followed and kept in view in processing the cases relating to above mentioned National Sports Awards starting from inviting nominations to constitution of Selection Committees :
(i) Nominations for the National Sports Awards would be called for in January each year in the prescribed application format. Last date for receipt of nominations will be 30th April or the last working date in April each year.
(ii) The authorized signatory for sending nominations will be as follows:-
1. Indian Olympic Association – President/Secretary General.
2. National Sports Federations – President/Secretary General [In the case of Cricket, there is no federation recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Nominations for cricket will need to be sent by President/ Secretary General of the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI)].
3. State/ UT Governments/ Sports Control/ Promotion Boards – An officer of not less than the rank of Secretary or Director (Sports) of the organization after taking due approval of the competent authority.
4. Sports Authority of India- Director General/Secretary
(iii) Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardees of previous years may send nominations for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dhyan Chand and Dronacharya Awards in their own disciplines.
(iv) Arjuna, Dhyan Chand and Dronacharya awardees of previous years may send nominations for any of these awards in their respective disciplines.
Nominations forwarded by any office-bearer other than those mentioned above will not be considered.
(v) Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports may suo-moto also nominate sportspersons/coaches from any sports discipline.
(vi) Following undertaking has been included in the application form for the award (to be given by the sportsperson being nominated) :-
"That I have carefully read the provisions of the Scheme for the Award and hereby accept all its provisions. I have never been penalized for any unfair practice like age fraud/ doping etc."
In case any enquiry has been initiated or warning given, details should be given by the sportsperson.
(vii) Following undertaking has been included in the application form for the award (to be given by the person/organization nominating the sportsperson for the award):-
"That I have carefully read the provisions of the Scheme for the Award and hereby confirm that the sportsperson is eligible for the same.
It is certified that the nominee is clear from vigilance/ disciplinary angles and is not involved in acts of criminal nature and moral turpitude. In case of sportspersons employed with Central Government/State Governments/PSUs or in private organizations, a certificate has been obtained from the concerned employer (copy enclosed) to this effect". (Employer also to give details of charge sheet/ disciplinary action taken/ pending, if any).
(viii) A copy of those nominations received within stipulated time period from organizations/agencies other than the NSF of the concerned sports discipline, will be sent to the concerned NSF for verification of the details and achievements stated in the nomination form and for checking if the sportsperson has ever been warned/ penalized for any unfair practice like age fraud/ sexual harassment, doping etc. All details in this regard, if any, to be given by the NSF along with the verification report.
This activity will be completed latest by 31st May.
(ix) A copy each of all nominations received before the last date and through the prescribed agencies will be sent to Sports Authority of India (SAI) by 15th May, which will independently verify the details stated in the nomination form including character verification. SAI will carry out the verification of details latest by 31st May.
(x) A Screening Committee consisting of Joint Secretary (Sports), Secretary, SAI, Director (Sports) and Director (Teams), SAI will meet preferably before 15thJune for scrutiny of the nominations received.
Based on the reports of NSFs and SAI, the eligibility will be checked by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (except for verification from doping point of view). Thereafter, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports will shortlist the required number of sportspersons/coaches in various sports disciplines as per guidelines.
(xi) Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports will seek a report from the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) about each of the sportspersons, who has been short- listed for verifying if anyone of them has ever been found positive for doping.
(xii) Since dope testing laboratories are now accredited to World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) and not to International Olympic Committee, provision about ineligibility of positive dope-tested applicants has been re-phrased as under in the case of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Awards, Dhyan Chand Awards:
"Sportspersons who have been penalized or against whom enquiry is pending/ongoing for use of drugs/substances banned by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) based on a sample collected by the National Anti- Doping Agency (NADA) or any other agency authorized by WADA and tested by National Dope Testing Laboratory or any other WADA accredited laboratory, will not be eligible for the Award."
In respect of Dronacharya Award, relevant para has been re-worded as follows:
"A coach found encouraging the use of drugs/substances, banned by the World Anti Doping Agency, by a sportsperson whom he/she is coaching, will not be eligible for the Dronacharya Award. A coach against whom enquiry is going on/pending in this regard will also not be eligible".
(xiii) Selection Committee in each category of the Awards will be constituted preferably by 15th June.
(xiv) All the eligible cases will be put up before the concerned Selection Committees. Meetings of Selection Committee should be held preferably by 30th June.
